Cognitive–behavioral treatment for depression: Relapse prevention.

TLDR

The study compares 2‑year outcomes of full cognitive‑behavioral therapy with its two core components—behavioral activation alone and behavioral activation plus automatic thought modification—in adults with depression. 137 participants were randomized to one of the three 20‑session treatments delivered by experienced CBT therapists, and relapse outcomes were assessed at 6‑, 12‑, 18‑, and 24‑month follow‑ups using relapse rates, symptom‑free weeks, and survival analysis. Full CBT did not reduce relapse rates more than either component alone, and the results have implications for clinical practice and theory.

Abstract

This study presents 2-year follow-up data of a comparison between complete cognitive-behavioral therapy for depression (CT) and its 2 major components: behavioral activation and behavioral activation with automatic thought modification. Data are reported on 137 participants who were randomly assigned to 1 of these 3 treatments for up to 20 sessions with experienced cognitive-behavioral therapists. Long-term effects of the therapy were evaluated through relapse rates, number of asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic weeks, and survival times at 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-month follow-ups. CT was no more effective than its components in preventing relapse. Both clinical and theoretical implications of these findings are discussed.